BOXING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 67

BOXING.

August, 20 oad 21.— N.Z. CSiamipionships <C3iristommsJi). August '24. — Wjbtl&'b Championsnip XBums v. Sgaires). I AugcEt 26. — Gau34-Muirpby Conteet (H-awke's Bay Association). September 1. — <k>dfrey-li«land Contest (Wel- ' Jington • Opex» House). . 'September 9 and v lO.Tf-Otag© Associa.titxn JSh&UHe?.* -----'' - - ' fiepiembar ■&. —^Horowkenua Associarfaon. Tqtit-

October 8. — Hwwke's Biay ~ Champlon..ships.' ' Kovember 24.— Tourney • (WelUnston Opera

House).

Tha" Otago-JBoxmg Association is holding a Uyua-naraent in the Garrison Hall on 9th and 1 10 th September. The contests will con.eistof four six-round bouts -each uigat and a corttpetifckra for i>ea.vy novices and bantam weights. All the best local talent will bs matched with well-known, dxristchurch and Wellington pea-formers, aaid good bouts should obtain. The prices of admission will be popular. The competition promises to eclipse anything yet put on. by th« association.

Mr J. Isaacs will represent the local assor ciation at «. conference of -oentres to be held in Clirjstchurch this we«lc. Siatters in eonneotion vrrth the status of the controlling body -and other bos me* vnli be discuesed. The Canterbury Association axe bringing up the question of the value of trophies given at tournaments. At present no two associations give tie ea«ne value, some giving as iigfa as £7 for an amateur competition. It is time that steps were taken to bring the various associations into line.

An. important matter to bs disouaeed 16 the position of the New Zealand Boxing Council. Under the present act no provision is made for a controlling body, and the present council exists merely by th-e courtesy of the various associations. This should- not be, and -it is necessary for the welfare of i&ie snort that the powers of the New Zeaiamd "Boxing Council should be put on ji proper -footing. Mr Isaacs when in Cliristchureli will select xa-en to box at the Dunedin toarnament -on 9ii and 10th September- , The best xneii available at fclie New Zealin-d championships be secured, and the Dunedin publi6 can. rely on seeing some good boxing, • •» Colonel Chaffey, Mr M. Sharplin, and th«, honorary secretary of tie New Zealand Boxing Associatian wave been appointed a committee to select the New Zealand team to compete at the Ajistralasian championship meeting. Tike team to represent New Zealand in the Australasian cnampionsliips. which will be held 1 in Brisbane on September 7 and Q, will be selected after the conclusion of the Zealand championships on August 20.

At the conference of local associations to i>e held in'Chrisfcohurch on August 19, the question -of providing a championship shield will br >> — "«•*■<• up by the Northern _Ar=«ociatiQn, Auckland. At last meeting of ttie Boxing Council correspondence was received from tb-e MarlboTougb Association asking if an amateur ooulcl box an exhibition spar with .a professional wiihout forfeiting Jhu status. The secretary r^jorted that b.e bad replied to th« effect that, as no prine was offered, the amateur's status would jnot be affected - The «j3tion was -approved.

Boras on Squinsei "Well, if you want to faiow all about Bill, you can set it down right here that he is ome of the gamest men that has ever ©tripped. I like Bill. He seems to me * determined, manly fellow. Do I -think Squires has improved since then {the first &ghs? WelL I remember that punch of. tuts in the fifth .round of tiie Paris fight. «nd you can *ai» it from me iiai your Bill Squires is a hitter— a two-way switch of a thrfosr. It 6eems to me that he i« becoming more -accustomed to the American mode of fighting. As yet lie is rather -slow-footed, but lie is. as I said before, a desperate game fighter." Squires on Burns : " He's a Jmrdy fellow, nnd I believe him to be the fastest heavyweight; that ever lived. He is a came man, a good general, end lee excellent judgment. He -caa hit -terribly tiard with either band, and ie 6 dabster at fighting. What

more qualities could a champion have? Bunas has improved a lot since I first met him." "What is his weak point?" "I could not tell you one." "Hott is he as a men?" "A very decent, quiet, and gentlemanly fellow. There is no 'skite' about Burns ; he is just a shrewd Yankee, beat on making his fortune with his -fists." ?iom Turbioh it ■would appear thai, tibough each thinks he is the batter man, he considers the other is one of the best.

Matters in ocwmeetion with the great. world's championship contest between Burns and Squires ar>a rapidly to a. head. Both contestants have arrived on' the battleground, have survived the inevitable interviews, and have gone into training' quarters, .aid the date and venue of the forthcoming disturbance bave been satisfactorily settled. The promoting company, Scientific Boxing and Self-defence, Ltd. (the registered' title of the syndicate whose enterprise has been responsible for the successful iesue of the Burns importation scheme), is providing an -arena for the e-ladiators in the shape of a stadium which is being built -especially for the occasion at Rushcutter Bay. Sydney. The building is designed to seat 20,000 people, and the ©eating is so arranged as to afford an unbroken view of ih-e ring from all quarters. Tho prices of admission for the reserved portions have been set down at £5. • £3. £2, and £1. The -date- of the great battle is Auarust 24. - Herewith the latest story about Tommy -Burns, avjio is to meet Squires at Sydney : "Bums is' having a tremendous time in the Trench capital. " He is the man of the* hour. 'Povbas had the gloves on with Baron de Rothschild', been DhotosTaphcd with the baron, and at a, private theatrical emtertamment at the baTon's palace Burns was feted •sued introduced to the eornoaany as the 'champion dv Monde.'" No boxer of recent times has had such a holiday as the r-emarJcable Canadian (says a writer in the Standard of Empire). After hie contest with Squires i» Paris he complained of an old injury to his left arm which threatened to gi^e bim trouble, -axid so Baron de Rothschild's own medieai adviser was called in. and treated the champion pu«ili6t. who says that a counle of weeks' rest will put him all right again. "I wonder whether the visit of the American fleet to Sydner will obscure tihe presence of Burns. It seems impo^ible. Burns will not be shut out."